Wednesday, November 30, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 30, 2011

A special Vergennes Community Action Meeting to discuss the impact of illegal drugs on the Vergennes community and what residents can do about it, will be held this evening at 7 in St. Peters Parish Hall located on South Maple St. The meeting, sponsored by the Vergennes Police Department, will provide awareness to the current situation in the city involving illegal narcotics. It will also identify measures residents can take to minimize and prevent their further impact.

The National Weather Service says this autumn in Vermont is expected to be the third- or fourth-warmest on record. And that might lead to a warmer winter. The Burlington Free Press reports a review of the 10 warmest autumns in Burlington shows that in eight of those cases, the following winter was warmer than normal. The other two winters had temperatures close to normal. National Weather Service records show that five of the winters that followed the warm autumns were among the 10 mildest on record.

Hundreds turned out to greet what's become a holiday tradition in the North Country. For the 13th year, Canadian Pacific Railroad has decorated one of its freight trains with tens of thousands of festive Christmas lights. The "Holiday Train" makes stops across Northern New York and Quebec, putting on a live show of Christmas songs and donating money to local food banks. The Holiday Train made stops this week in Ticonderoga, Port Henry and Plattsburgh. Over the years CP Rail has raised more than 5.5 million dollars and collected more than 2-million pounds of food donations for local food shelves.

Plans are underway to fight the opiate drug problem in Rutland. Health experts say they need another option to help hundreds of people there fighting an addiction to powerful pain relievers. About 400 people in Rutland are being treated for a prescription drug addiction. Rutland is the only major city in Vermont without a methadone clinic nearby. Rutland Mental Health hopes to have a program running in six months. The state and the feds will pay the up to $2-million yearly cost. The Vermont Health Department says it has already put aside money for its share.

Part of an art display was stolen in downtown Rutland. Police and city officials are asking for help locating a missing parking meter, not just any parking meter, but a bronze statue of a meter that stood in Depot Park. It was part of a sculpture created by a longtime Rutland resident more than 20 years ago. It displayed a dog resisting an invisible leash that was tied to the meter. It disappeared sometime this week. Police say there has been an increase in copper thefts in Rutland lately. A reward may be offered in this case.

Two bank offices in Rutland are slated to close early next year, though officials at each company say no jobs should be lost. The Citizens Bank office located in Price Chopper is scheduled to close in January, while the TD Bank on South Main Street will follow suit in February. TD Bank spokesman Jimmy Hernandez said the five employees at the South Main Street branch would all move to the bank’s Merchants Row location. A representative of Citizens Bank said the Price Chopper location would be consolidated to the branch at the corner of West Street and Merchants Row. With online and mobile banking on the fewer people are coming to the brick-and-mortar bank offices.

The city of Burlington wants drivers to slow down. The city is dropping its speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph today. The Burlington Free Press says some sections of the city will keep their higher or lower speed limits. The slowdown will improve the safety of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians while decreasing air pollution.

The Vermont Agency of Human Services is going to get an $18 million federal grant to help implement the next phase of the federal health care reform known as the Affordable Care Act. The money from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that was awarded to Vermont is part of $220 million in grants being sent to 13 states.

Senator Patrick Leahy says the time has come for the U.S. Supreme Court to televise its proceedings. Leahy is sponsoring legislation that would allow the chief justice to permit cameras in the court. He's been a strong supporter of the so-called "Sunshine in the Courtroom" Act. Congress can't require the Supreme Court to televise its proceedings. So the legislation strongly encourages Chief Justice John Roberts to take this step. Leahy says the court's review of the Affordable Care Act, the health care law passed by Congress last year, is the perfect time to start the new policy.

Tree farms in New Hampshire and Vermont are donating at least 400 Christmas trees to military families around the world. The donations are part of a nationwide effort called Trees For Troops. This year, the organization is hoping to deliver its 100,000th tree since the program started in 2005.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state-run website for job seekers now lists 52,000 openings statewide. According to Cuomo's office the "Jobs Express" site has had more than 200,000 visits since it was launched four weeks ago and has added 10,000 more listings of job openings. Those positions are listed on the state website, which has added tools to permit variations on searches for job openings listed among 10 regions.

Roger Phinney, executive director of the Eastern New York Marine Trades Association and marina owners from the region are supporting the new Marine Academy being established at Ticonderoga High School in its newly constructed, state-of-the-art technology center. Slated to open next September, the Marine Academy will be operated by Champlain Valley Tech and be available to students from Glens Falls to Plattsburgh. It’s a two-year program that will be limited to 13 students and marina owners can’t wait until the first class graduates.

Every year in December, it’s a special time in downtown Middlebury. This year is filled with seasonal family activities at a variety of locations including the Middlebury Community House, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Vermont Folklife Center, and Middlebury College's Mahaney Center for the Arts and Mead Chapel. On the three Saturdays before Christmas Day Santa will be in Middlebury from 10AM to noon at a variety of locations. You can make WVTK your soundtrack, as we’ll present yet another “Very Merry Middlebury Weekend” – continuous Christmas favorites get underway with Amanda Leigh this Friday afternoon at 3pm!

A new public service announcement is going to be airing on television over the holiday season, with State Auditor Tom Salmon telling people not to drink and drive. It's a lesson he knows well, because that's what happened to him two years ago. He says the DUI arrest was a life-changing event for him, and he wants to focus more attention on preventing it from happening to others. Over the holiday weekend, Vermont State Police arrested 33 suspected drunk drivers; nearly double the amount of arrests from last Thanksgiving.

Vermont's comprehensive energy plan, workshops on wind power, smart grid technology and other issues will be on tap at a conference at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee. The event, which runs from 8:30 to 4 on Saturday, will feature talks by Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller and Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz. The program is being geared to anyone with an interest in energy issues, with special emphasis on members of local energy committees. The conference will include 14 workshops on issues ranging from energy efficiency to renewable energy.

Search crews are combing the woods near Lake Placid looking for a missing hunter. A neighbor last saw Russ Beede early Saturday morning. The 63 year old was hunting just outside the village. Helicopters, canine units, and dozens of people on the ground will continue the search today.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 29, 2011

A professor at Middlebury College is stepping down after pleading no contest to embezzlement charges. 45-year-old Kateri Carmola allegedly siphoned $4,800 from the Salisbury Historical Society over a three-month period last year when she served as treasurer. According to the Burlington Free Press, the college is not commenting on whether Carmola was asked to resign. All the money has been paid back to the society.

There's been a change of course for a big solar array being proposed in Charlotte. A company called All Earth Renewables had wanted to install solar panels on a half-acre of town-owned land on Thompson's Point. Now a new plan has emerged. Developers want to build 345 solar panels on 15 acres of private land just north of Hinesburg road and west of Spear Street. The Charlotte Planning Commission will discuss the proposal on Thursday.

Empire State Development says the Essex County Industrial Development Agency can redirect $250,000 in unused Champlain Bridge closure funds to create a Hurricane Irene Recovery Community Revolving Loan Fund. The fund will assist businesses located in Essex County that incurred additional costs and experienced economic losses as a result of the storm. The Essex County IDA will administer the “Revolving Loan Fund”. As loans are repaid, funds will stay in the community for future business investment and growth.

A week from today the Middlebury select-board will begin paring back the first draft of a 2012-2013 municipal budget that would require a 3.4-cent increase in the local tax rate in order to maintain existing services and capital improvement priorities. The draft spending-plan represents a $230,825 increase compared to this year’s municipal budget. One penny on Middlebury’s tax rate raises roughly $72,000.

Award-winning poet Ruth Stone has passed away Saturday, November 19th at her home in Ripton. She was 96. For decades she lived in a farmhouse in Goshen. Ruth Stone became one of the country’s most honored poets in her 80s and 90s, winning the National Book Award in 2002 for “In the Next Galaxy” and being named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for “What Love Comes To.”

The Addison County Solid Waste Management District board has approved a 2012 budget that reflects a 7-percent increase in expenses, but maintains a level fee for trash disposal and reduces the drop-off charges for some recyclables at the transfer station. The budget increase is based on the assumption the transfer station will handle an increasing amount of trash, demolition debris and recyclables next year.

After the Vermont Department of Health earlier this month released the results of this year’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey a taskforce of Mount Abraham Union middle and high school students spent a day analyzing the Bristol school’s results. The group consists of 26 students in grades 8-12. They’ve identified Mount Abe’s strengths and weaknesses surrounding risky behavior and created an action plan for dealing with various issues. The committee plans to engage the entire student body to consider the issues raised and organize a public discussion with the community about the survey’s results and the students’ findings.

On December 14th the Patricia Hannaford Career Center board will consider a 2012-2013 budget that reflects a 2.41-percent spending increase and the proposed elimination of two courses. The PHCC offers technical, workplace and continuing education to secondary school-age students in the Addison Central, Addison Northeast and Addison Northwest supervisory unions. The tuition rate would increase by 4.4 percent under the budget currently under review. The draft budget eliminates two courses; video technology and sustainable landscapes, in order to help keep spending in line.

It wasn’t a happy Thanksgiving last Thursday for residents along Meehan Road in Bristol. Several mailboxes along the road were shot with a firearm during the night. The mailboxes were in a residential area. A full-size white truck was seen in the area at the time of the gunshots. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice will host a bereavement workshop on Thursday, December 8th from Noon to 1:30. The workshop, titled “Coping with Grief during the Holidays”, will help those who are grieving the loss of a loved one with coping strategies and helpful suggestions on how to make it through the holidays and even enjoy them. The workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

Rutland Mental Health Services will put plans for a drug treatment center before the public today. The organization, along with Rutland Regional Medical Center, announced last month they would work together to fill a gap in treatment of opiate addiction. The meeting will take place at 5PM in the Howe Center’s Franklin Conference Room. Opiates are a class of drug that includes heroin and many prescription painkillers. The plan is still in the early stages and the location of the center had not been determined, though it would not be at the hospital.

The Town of Westport will operate in 2012 on a bare-bones budget that shows a tax-levy increase of not quite 1 percent. The levy is comfortably below the state's 2 percent tax-levy cap. No major projects or purchases are anticipated for the coming year. Neither elected officials nor employees will see pay increases. And there will be no rise in rates for services or utilities. In fact, those living in Water District 3 can expect a decrease of $25 per quarter.

The recent drug crackdown in Essex County swept up another person on Monday. Carlos Maldonado of Ticonderoga was arrested on a warrant and arraigned on charges of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Conviction could mean up to 12 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.

No sooner did Essex County lawmakers request a list of non-resident employees than some of them applied for waivers. The County Board of Supervisors recently asked County Manager Daniel Palmer to compile a list of workers who reside outside the county without permission. The move was considered preliminary to dismissing or laying off those employees first among others in order to reduce a possible 62 percent tax hike in the preliminary 2012 county budget.

It’s won’t be midnight, but the 22nd annual Moriah Midnight Madness still promises to be a festive event. The holiday tradition will be held 11AM to 2PM this Saturday. Midnight Madness is sponsored by the Town of Moriah Chamber of Commerce and will feature store sales, giveaways, street vendors, music, fire truck rides for the children, candy, face painting, balloons, games and more. There will also be Christmas caroling and fire truck rides for children. The Moriah Central School band and chorus have also been invited to entertain.

The annual Museum Store is returning in Ticonderoga this holiday season. The store, located at the Hancock House, will be open from 9 to 4 this Friday and Saturday. Participating museums will be the Ticonderoga Historical Society, Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga Arts and the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum. Each will offer a variety of items from their gift shops for sale.

Vermont snowmobilers say that despite extensive damage from Tropical Storm Irene 95% of the state's 5,000-mile trail network has been repaired and is now waiting for snow. But the damage in a portion of the Green Mountain National Forest in Peru is so severe that it won't be possible to repair it until next year.

More kids in Vermont aren't receiving immunizations. Vermont now has the fifth highest exemption rate in the country. Six percent of kids in the state aren't receiving recommended shots. Over the past five years, the percentage of kids entering kindergarten without the recommended number of vaccines increased by more than 1.5 percent. That's one of the highest rates of increase in the country.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is sending Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine millions of dollars to help repair roads damaged in storms earlier this year. Vermont is going to receive more than $15.3 million to help repair damage from spring flooding and Tropical Storm Irene in August. It's a portion of the money Vermont will need to pay for work to its roads and bridges. Some estimates say the repairs could cost a total of $250 million.

Vermont police are looking for a bike-riding bank robber in Swanton. Authorities say the man handed a note to the teller at the Peoples United Bank demanding cash around 11AM on Monday. He then fled on a red bicycle. Police say the robber, who was photographed by a bank surveillance camera, was wearing a black and grey North Face vest, with a yellow striped winter hat. He's also described as being between 25 and 30 years old and about 5 feet 9 inches tall.

Police are warning store owners and their customers to take extra care in response to a rise in robberies. On Monday morning, police say a man entered the People's United Bank in Swanton and handed the teller a note demanding money. Another People's United Bank in South Burlington was robbed last week. Just a few hours before the Swanton robbery, the Champlain Farms convenience store in Winooski was also robbed. Police are looking for your help in all of the recent robberies. If you have any information please contact the Vermont State Police.

A woman who pushed for Vermont's ground-breaking civil union and gay marriage laws has been sworn in as the first openly gay member of the Vermont Supreme Court. Beth Robinson took the oath yesterday afternoon. She was one of the lawyers who represented three couples in a landmark 1999 Vermont Supreme Court decision that prompted the Legislature in 2000 to make Vermont the first state to offer marriage-like rights and benefits to same-sex couples. She later led Vermont Freedom to Marry, which pushed for and won passage of the first gay-marriage law in the country that wasn't directly prompted by a court decision.

The Salvation Army's red kettle drive has kicked-off in Vermont for the holiday season, but donations have taken a big hit. Last year, the kettles brought in more than $85,000. Officials say they are about $7,000 behind last year's totals. Yet, the organization has set a goal to raise $95,000. Tropical Storm Irene may have something to do with the decrease in donations as many Vermonters have given generously to many other causes and they could be stretched too thin financially. They are hoping the people that the Salvation Army has helped in the past will help them reach the goal.

A group of area artists will put their hearts on display next year. The heARTs of Rutland Committee, an organization formed by local artists working with a number of Rutland-area organizations, has announced that four-foot fiberglass hearts will serve as the basis for Rutland’s next public art project. Organizer Mary Crowley said she is modeling the project off on a similar one in 2005 that saw downtown adorned by a number of decorated wooden trains. The group is planning to display 30 hearts in and around Rutland before auctioning them off. They expect to get the hearts to the chosen artists by early March with an unveiling in late May or early June and an auction in the late fall.

Monday, November 28, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 28, 2011

Today is known as "Cyber Monday", a day in which online retailers plan to offer discounts, bringing in millions of dollars. But the Better Business Bureau is warning you to be careful of scams. To protect yourself, make sure your computer has anti-virus. Shop web sites you're familiar with. Don't click on links from e-mails, go directly to the site. And always remember, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

Vergennes Police Chief George Merkal is calling on all residents to combat what he calls a growing drug problem. Merkal says, 10 to 15 years ago, people would have to travel to New York City or Albany to buy a sizeable amount of drugs. Now those people are coming here and setting up shop. Merkal is hoping to jump-start a movement with the Wednesday community meeting.

Vermont's newest Supreme Court justice takes the oath today. 46-year-old Beth Robison, who was on the legal team that fought for civil unions and later same sex marriage in Vermont, was nominated to the bench last month to replace Justice Denise Johnson, who is retiring. Governor Peter Shumlin will administer the oath to Robinson at the Supreme Court today.

Even though Friday was the day after Thanksgiving, more than 2 dozen residents showed up for a selectboard meeting in Charlotte. At the meeting, the selectboard voted 4 to 1 to stop the proposed solar energy project on Thompson’s Point Road. Those voting against the project say the solar trackers is not an appropriate use of the conserved land.

The old Moses-Ludington Hospital is about to get a life. The former hospital in Ticonderoga has been vacant since 1981. Starting next May, the 3-story brick building will be converted into 31 one-bedroom units to be called Moses Circle Senior Apartments. Officials say, if the $7-million-dollar project stays on schedule, the apartments will be rented in the fall of 2013.

When the snow flies, officials say most of the 5,000 miles of snowmobile trails will be open this year. There were fears that Tropical Storm Irene damaged a lot of the trails but thanks to a lot of volunteer labor, VAST Officials say at least 95% of the trails are expected to be open this winter.

Authorities are still investigating a tragic hunting accident in Southern Vermont. According to reports, 49-year old Timothy Bolognani, while aiming at a deer, mistakenly shot and killed his hunting partner, 39-year-old Benjamin Birch. Then, Bolognani was so distraught he turned the gun on himself. The two were out hunting with a third man, who was uninjured, in the woods near How Pond and Goldmine Road in Readsboro.

The U.S. Forest Service is offering the public Christmas trees from Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest for $5. The permits can be purchased at any of the Forest Service offices in the state. The deal is, you have to cut the tree yourself, and transport it out of the woods yourself. Vermont's Forest Service offices are located in Rutland, Manchester Center, Middlebury and Rochester.

The North Country Christmas starts today and goes though next Sunday, December 4. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train will again kick off the week. The decorated train is scheduled to stop at the Ticonderoga train station this afternoon at 3:50 PM and at the Port Henry train station at 5:35 PM. Following the train stop, there will be the lighting the town Christmas tree on the Ticonderoga Community Building lawn at 6 PM, live music, and refreshments. There are events all week long. For more information or a schedule of events, just visit TiconderogaNY.com

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 23, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Authorities say a stretch of Route 73 in the Adirondacks that was closed because of a car accident has reopened. State police say a 12-mile stretch of the road was closed Wednesday morning from the intersection with Route 9N in the Essex County town of Keene to just outside the village of Lake Placid. Police say the road reopened around 11:30PM. The National Weather Service reports 12 inches of snow in Wilmington and 7 inches in nearby Lake Placid. Moriah, on Lake Champlain's western shore, has received 9 inches.

A transmission issue caused major outages in parts of central Vermont, according to Central Vermont Public Service. According to CVPS spokeswoman Christine Rivers, there were around 11,600 outages reported in the state. About 8,400 of those are due to the transmission issue. The remaining is weather related. She said the transmission line impacts three substations, which are in Taftsville, Woodstock and Quechee.

The winter weather couldn't come at worse time for the thousands of Vermonters who are traveling in advance of the big Thanksgiving holiday. The snow did not cancel any morning flights at the Burlington airport today. Travelers braved the snowy conditions to get to their gates early. But they say their biggest concern was whether or not they would make it there with the rough-going roads. Forty-two million people are expected to travel for the holiday, and no matter the route you take, costs are up from last year for both. Plane tickets are up 20 percent and gas is up 60 cents a gallon.

Vermont authorities say five men charged in a deer-poaching spree used a spotlight to stun the animals along roadsides, and then shot at them from a pickup truck. Vermont State Game Wardens say the spree started the evening of October 22nd and continued into the next morning, with 11 separate incidents in Lincoln, Ripton and Bristol. The men are accused of killing four deer, and authorities say more animals may have been injured. Steven Clark, Israel Clark and Collin Bell of Bristol, Adam Josey of Richmond, and Dana Lathrop of Florida will be arraigned January 23rd.

Vermont State police need help finding a Lyndon man suspected of leading troopers on a high-speed chase. Eric Jackson allegedly escaped police last week after leading troopers on a chase on Interstate 91 in Wheelock. Speeds topped 120 mph. The chase ended when the 25-year-old allegedly crashed his car and took off on foot.

Freight trucks are getting heavier on the nation's highways. A vote last week in Congress made Maine and Vermont the latest states where trucks weighing more than the federal limit are being allowed to rumble down interstates. Critics say heavier trucks make highways less safe and damage roads and bridges. They also claim the latest weight increases will spur the trucking industry to seek higher limits elsewhere. But others counter that allowing heavier trucks makes highways safer because fewer trucks are needed to move the same amount of goods. And they say it'll cut pollution and reduce the cost of doing business.

Biologists say the number of landlocked salmon swimming up a Vermont river from Lake Champlain to spawn this fall was the highest since a program began to help the fish get around a series of power dams in the Winooski River. Officials say 189 landlocked salmon crossed the lift at the Winooski One hydro facility, an increase of 44% from the 2010 figure. State and federal biologists credit the increase to sea lamprey control programs in Lake Champlain that have helped reduce the number of the eel-like parasites in the lake.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has formally moved to scrap a rule opening up state land for us by all-terrain vehicle riders. The administration of former Gov. Jim Douglas implemented the rule over the unanimous objections of the legislature's Committee on Administrative Rules. Supporters of allowing ATVs on public land say doing so is good for the economy and allows riders greater freedom to use the machines. Opponents cite damage to the environment. Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz says the agency can allow limited connector trails on public land through special licensing agreements. But, she says, the 2009 ATV rule was too broad.

It appears the ski season is getting underway. With lifts turning at Killington and Stowe, other ski areas are poised to get in on the action soon. Okemo and Sugarbush will open Thanksgiving Day. Jay Peak and Bromley are ready for a Friday opening.

Middlebury College presents the 40th anniversary service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, December 11th from 4-7PM in Mead Memorial Chapel. The annual program includes Bible readings for Advent and Christmas as well as carols for choir, organ, and congregation, modeled after the long-standing tradition. Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas has been a special Addison County tradition for 40 years. People come from all over the county and state to participate in this joyous community event, filling historic Mead Chapel for both the afternoon and evening services.

A public meeting to develop a draft Unit Management Plan for the Crown Point Historic Site and Crown Point Campground and Day Use Area will be held on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30PM in the auditorium of the Crown Point Historic Site Museum. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation staff will facilitate the meeting and solicit public feedback for future management of these public lands.

The Addison County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 7th annual Vergennes Holiday Stroll on Saturday, December 3rd. Events begin at 7:30AM with a pancake breakfast and end at 5PM with the lighting of City Park and Memory Tree. There are many other events during the day for young and old. A complete schedule is available HERE. In addition to these events, the Holiday Stroll is the kick-off for a weeklong collection of food items for the Community Food Shelf. Several area businesses are collection points for non-perishable food items. Items will be collected between December 3 and 10.

WVTK Local & State News November 23, 2011

VTrans crews didn’t waste any time getting ready for today’s storm. Yesterday morning, workers hooked up plows and topped off tanks of salt brine. They also coated about 40 miles of Interstate 89 and parts of Route 2 with a pretreatment that keeps snow from sticking roads. The agency has been experimenting with the mixture but it's the first time its been rolled out on a larger scale.

People who are flying out of Burlington for Thanksgiving travel plans shouldn't expect delays. Richard Varney, Operations Director at Burlington Airport, says today’s snow storm should not affect travel plans through the air. He says crews were prepared to clear all the runways of snow during the overnight hours and only anticipates delays if the location people are flying to has poor weather.

As vehicles travel Vermont roadways this Thanksgiving they can expect to see local police and sheriffs’ departments working collaboratively with the Vermont State Police Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) reminding drivers to drive safely, which includes making sure all drivers and their passengers are buckled up. As National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. Vermont has had “Zero Deaths” for the last three Thanksgiving holidays and they want to continue having a tragedy free holiday season.

Rutland police are looking for a man who reportedly used a handgun to rob a convenience store on North Main Street on Monday night. A clerk at the Tenney Brook Mobil gas station told police that at about 9:15PM Monday, a man with a red bandana over his face and a gun in his hand entered the store and demanded an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. No one was injured during the robbery. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call city police. (802-773-1816)

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of a Burglary at the Foote Farm Mansion on Route 125 in The Town of Cornwall. The Foote Farm Mansion is a historical home built in 1890. James Apgar has been remodeling the historic residence over the last 7 years. Sometime between November 2nd and November 22nd someone forced entry into the uninhabited home and stole copper from the basement. In the process of stealing the copper a water pump-pressure tank was damaged and the basement flooded. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Barracks. (1-802-388-4919)

The state's congressional delegation says Vermont will get $15 million in federal emergency transportation funds to help rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. The Federal Highway Administration grant includes $14 million for post-Irene road repairs, and $1 million for fixes to roads damaged by spring flooding. Last week President Obama signed legislation that included emergency funding for Vermont and other states recovering from natural disasters.

Vermont farmers affected by Irene can apply for a new round of disaster aid grants. In its first three rounds, the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund awarded 122 farmers affected by Irene grants in excess of $600,000. As of Nov. 21, over $2 million was received or pledged to the fund. Applications will be accepted for the current grant round until Dec. 2. Checks will be distributed to selected farmers by the end of the year. They can be found online at www.vtfloodresponse.org.

A Vermont woman is facing charges she let a 14-year-old child drive a car on the interstate because she had a migraine headache. Kati Billings of Essex was cited yesterday after a state trooper stopped a car on Interstate 89 in South Burlington.

As towns struggle to pay mounting repair bills caused by Tropical Storm Irene, state lawmakers are stepping in to help. The state treasurer, Beth Pearce, says cities, which would normally not get state highway monies until January, are getting advances this week on six-point-four-million dollars. Local schools will also be getting funding two weeks ahead of schedule. The state treasurer calls it a "very unique situation."

Church Street Marketplace hopes the idea of valet parking will help alleviate parking problems and businesses on Church Street hope it will be a success. Valet parking will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from noon till ten PM ending on Christmas Eve. Cars will be parked in spaces normally reserved for downtown businesses. Space downtown is tight but local property owners have given up spots to be used for the valet test project. It will cost $8.00. Church Street Marketplace is hoping that when the test period ends on Christmas Eve, a private company will continue to provide the valet service.

The Chittenden County Transportation Authority has been granted federal funds to buy bigger buses. The CCTA tells the Burlington Free Press they will use the $3.36 million to buy six new 45-foot-long buses for the LINK express commuter routes, allowing more Vermonters to take advantage of their services, and for improving passenger shelters, solar lights and bike parking. CCTA officials report the LINK express commuter routes have seen a 50 percent increase in ridership over the last 5 years.

Vermont police say an armed man held up People's United Bank on Dorset Street in South Burlington yesterday afternoon. No one was hurt. Police say the man, who was photographed by a bank security camera, held a revolver while he demanded cash from a teller. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Police say a grey Saturn was seen leaving the bank headed north on Dorset Street a short time later. The suspect was wearing a two-tone blue jacket, black derby hat, sunglasses and carrying a blue bag during the robbery. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call South Burlington police.

Employees of Essex County who live elsewhere without permission could soon be without jobs. In light of possible upcoming layoffs the County Board of Supervisors Personnel and Administration Committee directed County Personnel Officer Monica Feeley to investigate reports of non-residents working for the County. Feeley said some may have waivers, but others are required by law to live in Essex County and don't.

The Crown Point Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to spring. The group will meet Tuesday, December 6th at 6:30PM at the Knapp Senior Center to make plans for the spring and discuss other business. “The focus of the meeting will be coming up with a community project for the spring. The meeting will include a potluck dinner. Frenchman’s Restaurant will provide a ham for the meal. Door prizes will be given away. Those attending are also asked to consider bringing canned goods or unwrapped toys that will be donated to area needy families.

The Town of Schroon brought its 2012 budget in under the state's 2 percent tax cap. Schroon Supervisor Cathy Moses said the budget initially came in $60,000 over the cap, so they had to start making cuts. The increases were in areas such as the town's State Retirement Fund share and worker health insurance.

It’s a Very Merry Middlebury! Every year in December, it’s a special time in downtown Middlebury. This year is filled with seasonal family activities at a variety of locations including the Middlebury Community House, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Vermont Folklife Center, and Middlebury College's Mahaney Center for the Arts and Mead Chapel. On the three Saturdays before Christmas Day Santa will be in Middlebury from 10AM to Noon at a variety of locations. Beginning this weekend and continuing each weekend through Christmas WVTK will presents Very Merry Middlebury Weekends playing Continuous Christmas Favorites! The first one gets underway this Black Friday at 6AM!

The North Country Christmas is growing. Sponsored by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, the North Country Christmas will be a week of holiday-related events in the community. In its second year in 2011, the event has expanded. North Country Christmas will be held November 28 through December 4. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train will again kick off the week. The decorated train is scheduled to stop at the Ticonderoga train station at 3:50 p.m. and at the Port Henry train station at 5:35PM on Monday the 28th. For more info just visit www.ticonderogany.com.

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is challenging residents and businesses in this year’s Holiday Lighting Contest. Santa’s sleds, reindeers, wreaths and more are welcome and don’t forget the lights. Judging will take place after December 2nd. In order to be judged, residential displays must be registered with the chamber. To register call 802-247-6401 or email info@brandon.org with Holiday Decorations in the subject line.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 22, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Officials are reminding Vermonters hit hard by flooding from Irene that crisis counseling is available to help them cope with the stress. The program called Starting Over Strong-Vermont, or SOS, provides short-term support for people, groups and communities affected by the flooding. The free services are available by calling toll-free 855-SOS-VT00 or 855-767-8800.

Vermont farmers affected by Irene can apply for a new round of disaster aid grants. In its first three rounds, the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund awarded 122 farmers affected by Irene grants in excess of $600,000. As of Nov. 21, over $2 million was received or pledged to the fund. Applications will be accepted for the current grant round until Dec. 2. Checks will be distributed to selected farmers by the end of the year. They can be found online at www.vtfloodresponse.org.

Rutland Police say an armed robber made off with an undisclosed amount of money from the Tenney Brook Market in Rutland Monday night. Employees told police a white man who was about 5'6" and wearing a black baseball cap and sweatshirt with a red bandana over his face, came into the store shortly after 9:15PM Monday, pointed a handgun in their faces, took the cash and walked away. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

This holiday season the Henry Sheldon Museum will present “A Child’s Delight,” an exhibit featuring antique toys and games, historic photographs and holiday decorations throughout the historic 1829 Judd-Harris House. The exhibit opens on December 3rd and runs through January 14th. A highlight of the exhibit is the Midd-Vermont Train Club’s elaborate electric train layout.

It’s a Very Merry Middlebury! Every year in December, it’s a special time in downtown Middlebury. This year is filled with seasonal family activities at a variety of locations including the Middlebury Community House, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Vermont Folklife Center, and Middlebury College's Mahaney Center for the Arts and Mead Chapel. On the three Saturdays before Christmas Day Santa will be in Middlebury from 10AM to Noon at a variety of locations. Beginning this weekend and continuing each weekend through Christmas WVTK will presents Very Merry Middlebury Weekends playing Continuous Christmas Favorites! The first one gets underway this Black Friday at 6AM!

The North Country Christmas is growing. Sponsored by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, the North Country Christmas will be a week of holiday-related events in the community. In its second year in 2011, the event has expanded. North Country Christmas will be held November 28 through December 4. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train will again kick off the week. The decorated train is scheduled to stop at the Ticonderoga train station at 3:50 p.m. and at the Port Henry train station at 5:35PM on Monday the 28th. For more info just visit http://www.ticonderogany.com.

Hailey White is the winner of the 26th annual Crown Point Junior Miss program, now known as Distinguished Young Women. The theme for the program was “Sailing on the 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Crown Point Evening Cruise.” The program featured seven competitors. White was chosen 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Crown Point and received the scholastic award. With the generous support of individuals and local businesses the program is able to give away more than $3,000 in college scholarships.

Vermont State Police have arrested an 86-year-old man on a charge that he illegally drove his tractor on a public highway with a suspended license and ran into a police cruiser. Police said Jon Simon of West Danville was driving the tractor on Danville Peacham Road in Peacham, even though he was going against police orders. He ran into the cruiser that was parked on a nearby road at about 5:30PM Monday. Simon was arrested on a charge of negligent operation.

Prosecutors have decided to file a lesser charge against a Vermont man originally charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting. Raymond King has now been charged with aggravated assault and drug possession following a shooting in Burlington on Friday. Prosecutor T.J. Donovan told the Burlington Free Press he doesn't think at this stage the evidence supported intent to kill.

One Vermont utility will not be raising rates this winter. Vermont Electric Cooperative in Johnson says it has seen higher revenues due to increased electricity use. The utility also credits better power purchase deals, reduced costs due to improved automated meters and better financial stability from an upgraded credit rating. The state's two largest utilities have recently asked state regulators to approve rate hikes.

The Chittenden County Transportation Authority has been granted federal funds to buy bigger buses. The CCTA tells the Burlington Free Press they will use the $3.36 million to buy six new 45-foot-long buses for the LINK express commuter routes, allowing more Vermonters to take advantage of their services, and for improving passenger shelters, solar lights and bike parking. CCTA officials report the LINK express commuter routes have seen a 50 percent increase in ridership over the last 5 years.

WVTK Local & State News November 22, 2011

The Weather Channel Says: Sunny – High Near 40. (Meanwhile the NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Chittenden, Rutland, Addison and Essex County, NY from Midnight Tonight through Midnight Wednesday.)

The autopsy report for Gerald “Dusty” Woodburn from Salisbury is not yet complete and is pending further examination. Woodburn died last Thursday after Vermont State Police troopers responded to his home on Lake Dunmore Road in Salisbury for a domestic disturbance. It is not yet determined if the single shot fired from an officers duty weapon made contact with Woodburn. Once the investigation is completed the case will be reviewed by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, as is customary in an officer-related shooting.

Nearly 24 hours after a deadly hit and run crash on the Adirondack Northway in Schroon, police believe they have located the vehicle that fled the scene. It was found early Monday afternoon just north of New York City. Police say they recovered a large amount of evidence from the crash site and now hopes that will help them solve the case. Detectives are travelling south and plan to search the car for evidence Tuesday. They are also trying to determine who was driving it at the time of the crash Sunday.

The Willsboro Central School Board of education will hold a regular meeting at 6PM today in the conference room. The agenda includes personnel, business and finance and a resolution for installment payments for school taxes.

Vermont Hard Cider Co. has filed plans to build a new 87,000 plus square-foot bottling plant on Exchange Street, between the Bridge School and Maple Landmark Woodcraft. The company is considering adding 20 new employees to its workforce in conjunction with the new facility. The Middlebury Development Review Board has scheduled an initial public hearing to review the application on Monday, December 12th at 7PM in the municipal building conference room.

The Addison Central Supervisory Union school board has officially launched its search for a new superintendent. They have agreed on a salary range, length of contract, the makeup of a screening committee for candidates, and a basic timetable for selection of a finalist. The position is expected to be filled by next summer. Gail Conley is serving as interim superintendent this year while officials look for a new top administrator.

Middlebury police investigated complaints about a man distributing racist literature to passersby and storeowners in the Marble Works shopping complex last Wednesday. The investigating police officer said a local man had been passing out stickers that evening bearing three different racist messages.

A recent string of Bristol burglaries has many townspeople worried. Police Chief Kevin Gibbs said the unusual increase in burglaries is perhaps double what it was last year. He pointed to a rising demand for heroin in Bristol and a short-staffed police department as reasons contributing to this increase.

Vergennes aldermen agreed last week to make a second loan from a city-administered revolving loan fund to Shear Properties. The $70,788 agreement with Shear Properties is essentially a loan consolidation. The arrangement will allow the owners to pay off the balance of their 2008 loan from the city, two small bank loans and some other debts all while lowering monthly payments by about $350. Shear Properties will pay the city back over 10 years at a 4 percent interest rate.

Despite increased costs for insurance and retirement, the 2012 Town of Elizabethtown budget will show a 6 percent tax-levy decrease. The $822,740 levy will result in a tax rate to be billed at $5.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is down from $5.70 in the 2011 budget. So a property with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay $536, which is $34 less than this year. There will be no increases in the cost of services such as public water.

Middlebury author Stanford Pritchard has just released “Restaurant,” a novel that takes a look at a summer resort town through a series of individual stories that are naturally interrelated. It’s light and fun and captures that feeling of tourist-town locals getting through it all very nicely. “Restaurant” is available at Vermont bookstores and online at Amazon.com.

The head of the Vermont National Guard says the opening of 2 new armories that will be used jointly by the National Guard and the Army Reserve are the wave of the future. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says the new armory in White River Junction will combine functions that had been performed out of 6 separate state and federal facilities in the southeastern part of the state. He says the new Rutland armory will combine separate guard and reserve armories into one facility.

A former chairman of the University of Vermont's board of trustees is leading an effort to as he calls it to achieve prosperity for current and future generations in Vermont. Bruce Lisman announced Monday the formation of the group called "Campaign for Vermont." He says the organization is designed to unite Vermonters from a broad spectrum of political perspectives and to set a new direction for our future.

Vermont's congressional delegation has joined the fight to save a remote border crossing in Franklin County. Last year, the federal government announced plans to renovate and expand the Morses Line facility, which would require taking farmland from the Rainville family. The family objected, and Senator Leahy convinced the feds to abandon the expansion. Homeland Security then announced it would shut down the crossing altogether. Now Customs and Border Protection is reconsidering the plan. All three members of the state's congressional delegation have submitted a letter saying the crossing should remain open.

Did the leader of Vermont's largest teachers' union overstep his boundaries and threaten the chairman of the South Burlington School Board? That's what the Vermont Labor Relations Board is going to determine, after gathering testimony yesterday. School Board Chair Richard Cassidy told them he received an e-mail from Vermont-National Education Association Executive Director Joel Cook which he interpreted as a warning that his private business would be targeted if he did not change his public stance on contract negotiations. Cook's attorney would not comment publicly on the testimony. A decision by the labor relations board could take a couple of months.

Teen births declined in the United States last year but increased slightly in Vermont. Nationally the number of babies born to teen mothers dropped from 3.79 percent in 2009 to 3.43 percent in 2010. Vermont's teen birth rate is half that of the nation as a whole, but did climb slightly over the last year from 1.73 percent in 2009 to 1.78 percent in 2010.

Former Vermont State Rep. John Murphy is being remembered for his commitment to the working people of the state. Murphy died Saturday in Ludlow. He was 88. Murphy served 30 years in the Legislature, stepping down in 1998. Former Vermont House Speaker Ralph Wright tells the Burlington Free Press Murphy was "the face of labor in the state of Vermont for nearly four decades."

A group of Ticonderoga residents enjoyed fresh, homemade bread with their Thanksgiving dinner this year. Ticonderoga Elementary School students, with help from the King Arthur Flour Company, learned how to bake bread during an assembly last Friday. Students were then given the necessary ingredients and asked to bake two loaves of bread at home, one for their family and another to be donated to residents of Lord Howe Estates and Montcalm Manor. St. Mary’s School and Putnam Central School students also took part in the program.

More and more people are choosing an easier way to shop this holiday season and that often means gift cards and online shopping. But experts warn, what you save in convenience you make up for in hidden fees and loopholes. Spending on gift cards is expected to reach nearly $28 billion this year. But, before you join the fad, experts say inspect what you are buying. Plus, many cards have hidden fees. Those fees can vary from card to card. And there are expiration dates on many cards. For online shoppers, if you want to make sure your credit card information is safe, just make sure the check out page on the Web site starts with https. They suggest you use a credit card instead of a debit card because it has increased security measures. WVTK encourages you to shop LOCAL this season and consider a gift card or certificate from the many wonderful businesses right here at home.

Monday, November 21, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 21, 2011 PM Update

The autopsy report for Gerald “Dusty” Woodburn from Salisbury is not yet complete and is pending further examination. Woodburn died last Thursday after Vermont State Police troopers responded to his home on Lake Dunmore Road in Salisbury for a domestic disturbance. It is not yet determined if the single shot fired from an officers duty weapon made contact with Woodburn. Once the investigation is completed the case will be reviewed by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, as is customary in an officer-related shooting.

Vermont Hard Cider Co. has filed plans to build a new 87,000 plus square-foot bottling plant on Exchange Street, between the Bridge School and Maple Landmark Woodcraft. The company is considering adding 20 new employees to its workforce in conjunction with the new facility. The Middlebury Development Review Board has scheduled an initial public hearing to review the application on Monday, December 12th at 7PM in the municipal building conference room.

The Addison Central Supervisory Union school board has officially launched its search for a new superintendent. They have agreed on a salary range, length of contract, the makeup of a screening committee for candidates, and a basic timetable for selection of a finalist. The position is expected to be filled by next summer. Gail Conley is serving as interim superintendent this year while officials look for a new top administrator.

Middlebury police investigated complaints about a man distributing racist literature to passersby and storeowners in the Marble Works shopping complex last Wednesday. The investigating police officer said a local man had been passing out stickers that evening bearing three different racist messages.

A recent string of Bristol burglaries has many townspeople worried. Police Chief Kevin Gibbs said the unusual increase in burglaries is perhaps double what it was last year. He pointed to a rising demand for heroin in Bristol and a short-staffed police department as reasons contributing to this increase.

Middlebury author Stanford Pritchard has just released “Restaurant,” a novel that takes a look at a summer resort town through a series of individual stories that are naturally interrelated. It’s light and fun and captures that feeling of tourist-town locals getting through it all very nicely. “Restaurant” is available at Vermont bookstores and online at Amazon.com.

A group of Ticonderoga residents enjoyed fresh, homemade bread with their Thanksgiving dinner this year. Ticonderoga Elementary School students, with help from the King Arthur Flour Company, learned how to bake bread during an assembly last Friday. Students were then given the necessary ingredients and asked to bake two loaves of bread at home, one for their family and another to be donated to residents of Lord Howe Estates and Montcalm Manor. St. Mary’s School and Putnam Central School students also took part in the program.

The head of the Vermont National Guard says the opening of 2 new armories that will be used jointly by the National Guard and the Army Reserve are the wave of the future. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says the new armory in White River Junction will combine functions that had been performed out of 6 separate state and federal facilities in the southeastern part of the state. He says the new Rutland armory will combine separate guard and reserve armories into one facility.

Some St. Johnsbury residents woke up over the weekend to flat tires. Police says a vandal or vandals slashed 61 tires throughout the village sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning. Some vehicles had more than one tire flattened. Police say they've been able to collect evidence and get leads about the alleged perpetrator.

Every year, Library Journal rates the best public libraries in America in its "Star Libraries" ratings. Three public libraries in Vermont were selected for that top group: Killington, Craftsbury Common, and Putney libraries. The first two are repeats from previous years, and this is Putney's first time. Each library is rated within an expenditure range based on circulation, visits, program attendance and Internet use rated on a per capita basis.

An outpouring of love and warm quilts will be headed to Wilmington, which was devastated by floods from Tropical Storm Irene last August. Judy Thomas, the owner of Yankee Pride Quilts in Essex Junction heard a quilting store was destroyed, and decided that others in the town who lost everything needed help, and to know someone cared. Thomas and her customers and staff worked on and pulled together 40 quilts, each large enough to keep out the cold. The collection is continuing, and in about a month will be hand delivered to residents in Wilmington and other towns hard-hit by flooding.

WVTK Local & State News November 21, 2011

State police say a Rutland man pursued early Sunday morning for allegedly stealing gasoline in Killington took his own life using a gun when the chase ended in Bridgewater. Police are investigating the death of 27-year-old James Miles who they say took his own life when police cornered him on a dead-end road. State Police and Killington constables began pursuing Miles after a Killington constable reportedly saw him at about 12:30AM leave the area of the Green Mountain National Golf Course where a theft of gasoline had been reported. The pursuit led along Route 100 into Pittsfield.

A tragic accident occurred yesterday morning on the Northway. 59-year-old Thomas Lafountain and his 65-year-old sister, Mary Morrissey, both from Mechanicsville, were traveling north on the Adirondack Northway in the town of Schroon. Lafountain received minor injuries. But his sister was pronounced dead at the scene. The condition of the person driving the other vehicle is unknown. Police are still looking for that driver and vehicle. Anyone that was traveling along the Northway in the Schroon area around 7:30 Sunday morning is urged to call the New York State Police.

Vermont’s medical examiner says the cause of death during a Champlain Farms convenience store robbery in Vergennes was a homicide. Under Vermont law homicide simply means that 34-year-old Yemalla Sprauve was killed by another person. It doesn't necessarily mean a crime occurred. If police and prosecutors decide the clerk did nothing wrong and he was acting within the law defending himself, then they don't even have to bring charges. Vergennes police say the Vermont Attorney General's Office is working with the Addison County state's attorney to determine if any charges would be brought against the store clerk.

The new Canadian-owned company created by the merger of Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service will be called “Green Mountain Power”. It will adopt CVPS’s three sub-brands and a new logo that connects the traditions and history of both companies. The name change was made public November 18th. Pending the sale of CVPS to Gaz Metro, a leading Quebec energy company and GMP’s parent, CVPS and GMP are expected to merge in 2012.

Parts of our region prepared for a blizzard Sunday. Close to 100 volunteers spent a few hours Sunday morning assembling nearly 1,000 blizzard bags. Each year CVAA delivers Blizzard Bags to seniors receiving Meals on Wheels. The bags contain four shelf stable meals for seniors to have in their home to use when daily Meals on Wheels delivery is canceled. CVAA serves more than 10,000 seniors in Chittenden, Addison, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

Essex County lawmakers are telling Sheriff Richard Cutting they want to bring overtime at the County Jail under control. The Sheriff appeared before the County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee recently to ask for an additional $100,000 from the county's contingency fund to pay for overtime. The money will be covered by inmate boarding revenue.

Whether or not the creature called Champ is really swimming around in Lake Champlain will be explored soon on CBS News's Early Show. CBS Early Show Producer Brian Bingham was in Port Henry this weekend to shoot Champ footage for the Local Legends segment of the morning program. Among those interviewed were Dee Carroll, the Westport Marina co-owner who's seen Champ he also visited Lorraine Franklin's Champ Trading Post located in West Addison. The Early Show Champ segment will air in the next few days.

A police drug sweep resulted in 13 arrests that included eight local people last week in Essex County. The police action began with four arrests November 10th, another November 14th and eight more November 18th. Seven people were arrested and arraigned on narcotics charges Friday in a drug sweep in Essex County. Police said the arrests centered on the possession and/or sale of controlled substances, which in most cases were prescription drugs.

Plans to make the former Moses Ludington Hospital a senior citizen housing complex will move forward. Liberty Affordable Housing Inc. and Inter-Lakes Health have announced they have received funding for the $7 million project that will turn the now-vacant facility into 31 one-bedroom units for low-income seniors. It will be called Moses Circle Senior Apartments. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2012.

Workers at the closed Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury say they've largely been ignored as the state debates the future of its mental health system in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. About a dozen psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and others who worked at the hospital gathered last week to say they think they should be moved back into Waterbury temporarily, and that the state should move as quickly as possible to build a new psychiatric hospital in north-central Vermont. They say the state hospital provided a unique range of services needed by Vermonters suffering from the most severe mental illnesses.

AmeriCorps volunteers are going to be staying in Vermont a bit longer to help with the continuing cleanup from Tropical Storm Irene. AmeriCorps officials say 40 volunteers from the federal program have contributed more than 6,290 hours so far since the storm triggered widespread flooding in the state August 28th. Ten AmeriCorps volunteers are now planning to stay in Vermont through mid-December.

Two men from New York City are behind bars in Vermont following their arrest on drug-trafficking charges. Police say 30-year-old Arkim Willis and 18-year-old Frank Jenkins, both of Brooklyn, were charged Friday at a hotel in Rutland. When police entered the hotel room while responding to theft report, they found 287 packaged bags of heroin and a larger bag of heroin weighing 24 grams, with a combined street value of more than $31,000.

A University of Vermont researcher got to present findings at a national conference from a study showing that even small lifestyle changes can improve cardiovascular health. Dr. Mary Cushman of the University of Vermont College of Medicine traveled to the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions conference in Orlando this past week to present her findings.

Vermont's Green Mountain Club has a new wood-burning heat and hot water system on a staff building at its Waterbury Center headquarters. The system is part of a 100% renewable energy system at the club's headquarters. The club installed the system with the help of a $67,000 grant secured by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy. The Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation administered the grant.

Young hunters in Vermont will get a chance to win prizes by sharing their hunting experiences. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is seeking essays or artwork from young hunters describing their time on a hunt. Entrants are encouraged to describe why hunting is important to them and include a story of 1 of their hunting experiences. They may also send in hunting photos. The contests will be divided into three age groups. Winners in each category will get a set of prizes from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Beagle Outdoor Wear. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31. Winners will be announced on Jan. 21 at the Yankee Classic Sportsman's Show in Essex Junction.

Vermont officials have retired the special Google map that reported which roads and bridges around the state were closed due to damage from Irene. Flooding triggered by Irene damaged more than 500 miles of state road and 200 bridges. The state Agency of Transportation says it was a big help when Google offered to create a special map that could be updated regularly to tell people where the closures were.

Rutland area residents will be able to leave the sorting of their recyclables to Casella Waste Systems’ new Zero-Sort recycling center, unveiled Friday afternoon. The $3.75 million facility will receive glass, newspapers, cardboard, mixed paper, and all types of plastic containers mixed together. Zero-Sort containers will also be distributed around downtown Rutland in a collaboration between the Downtown Rutland Partnership, City of Rutland’s Department of Public Works union and Casella.

Despite warm fall temperatures staff at about 10 ski resorts are doing their best to turn "Black Friday" white. The lifts are stalled and the slopes at Smugglers' Notch resort are green, but staff say by Thanksgiving they hope to give skiers and riders one more thing to be thankful for. The Ski Vermont President said Killington's October open, and the batch of openings due next week are carrying last year's strong momentum into this ski season.

Condé Nast Traveler readers have selected the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa as one of the “Top 50 Ski Hotels” in North America. Mirror Lake Inn and the Whiteface Lodge are the only ski resorts in New York to make the list, and it is the fourth time the Inn has received this honor.

Friday, November 18, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 18, 2011

Vermont State Police say a Salisbury man shot himself after a confrontation with police yesterday morning. Police say 52-year-old Gerald "Dusty" Woodburn was found dead after troopers had responded to a domestic disturbance. Troopers went to the home after getting a 911 call from Woodburn's girlfriend, who said he had left the residence with her cell phone and a gun. When troopers arrived, Woodburn and the woman were at the home. Police say when she told them Woodburn had a gun; he pointed it at the troopers. Police say 1 of the troopers then fired a single shot at Woodburn, who retreated further into the house. As police were calling for assistance, they said they heard another shot. They say Woodburn's body was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Tuesday individuals and towns were rushing to meet the deadline to register for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. By Tuesday FEMA had approved more than $20 million in disaster relief grants to individual Vermonters, with registrations from nearly 7,194 individuals and families across the state. In Addison County, FEMA has accepted 181 applications for aid, and has approved more than $361,000 in disaster grants. Meanwhile officials in many Addison County towns say they still have a ways to go on repairs, including two large road projects that won’t be completed until next spring in Granville and Hancock.

Vergennes aldermen will be researching potential sites for a new city police station in the next few weeks. However, at this time the City has not yet committed to spending money to replace the department’s tiny two-room office in City Hall.

The Town Of Middlebury is getting ready for some big energy savings. Middlebury officials are working with Central Vermont Public Service Corp. and Efficiency Vermont to replace around 470 light fixtures throughout town with a more energy-efficient fixture. It’s estimated this change could save the community around $20,000 per year on its electricity bill.

Weybridge Elementary School’s ongoing effort to tailor its educational programs to a shrinking student population will be getting some national exposure this winter as part of a CNN television program. The CNN program will touch upon the overcrowding in some schools, contrasted with declining enrollment in others. On Tuesday a CNN film crew spent the entire day at Weybridge Elementary filming classroom activities and conducting interviews with some school personnel and students.

Since September, a team of 10 Monkton students have created and programmed an autonomous robot made of Legos and invented a prototype lunchbox to protect food from contamination in preparation for the 2011 First Lego League Robotics Competition. The students ranging from grades four through nine at Monkton Central School and Mount Abraham Union High School won the qualifying round last weekend at the competition in Hanover, NH. That qualified them for the regional championship in Manchester, NH on December 3rd. The First Lego League Robotics Competition encompasses more than 200,000 9 to 16-year-olds from more than 55 countries.

The Rutland downtown revolving loan fund may help pay for a propane heating and cooling system at the Gryphon Building and sprinklers at Merchants Hall. The Downtown Rutland Partnership executive director said this week that the committee that oversees the fund had recommended the two loans, which go before the Board of Aldermen for approval Monday. MKF Properties would borrow $30,000 for the rooftop propane unit replacing the Gryphon Building’s old steam boiler system. Merchants Hall would get $18,000 for sprinklers in the basement, first floor and second floor.

Burlington democratic leaders are heading to a familiar spot for the second mayoral caucus next month. The event will take place at the Memorial Auditorium on December 11th. That's where this past weekend's caucus produced a tie between Tim Ashe and Miro Weinberger. It's open to anyone who was at the first round of voting. With three hours to register prior to vote, democratic leaders hope to see another large turnout.

Vermont may be seeing its largest outbreak of whooping cough in 15 years. The bacterial infection is preventable with a vaccine. But despite that, the state health department says it has seen 27 cases of whooping cough this year, including six in the last month. The illness is highly contagious and distinguished by an irritating cough that gradually worsens and can lead to more severe illnesses. Health officials urge parents who suspect their children have it to seek treatment with antibiotics, and they urge all parents to have their children vaccinated.

The U.S. Congress has approved a new federal highway funding package that officials say will provide crucial post-Irene federal disaster aid to Vermont. The agreement lifts funding caps for disaster relief that had had Vermont officials very worried. The state has been estimating up to $250 million in repair costs for federal-aid-eligible roads and bridges. Officials were worried about a $100 million-per-state cap on disaster funding from the federal highway administration. The agreement passed on Thursday would lift that limit.

Vermont lost a federal lawsuit aiming to protect patient privacy. And now we know how much taxpayers will pay for it. New court papers show the state is on the hook for $1.8 million to cover legal fees by Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America. Supporters are still defending the law, saying it was important to try to prevent companies from selling patient information to pharmaceutical companies. But opponents say it was clear the law would never stand up in court and lawmakers should never have passed it knowing Vermonters would have to pick up the bill.

The Vermont Labor Department says the state's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percent last month to 5.6%. The October rate is down three-tenths of a percent from the October 2010 rate. Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan said Thursday that the lower unemployment rate is good news and she remains cautiously optimistic about the future. Noonan says there are job opportunities for Vermonters seeking work, as well as training, apprenticeship and internship opportunities for people who need job skills and help finding a job.

Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Vermont is changing the length of time seasonal workers can search for jobs. Seasonal employees like construction workers or people working in the ski industry used to be able to wait six to nine months before looking for a job. Now they only get 10 weeks. The governor says the unemployment fund is intended to get people through a tough time, not support them through months of unemployment. Shumlin says he encourages seasonal workers to get in touch with the department of labor to capitalize on programs available for unemployed Vermonters.

Six school boards in southern Vermont officially approved a new contract for teachers last night. The three-year deal comes almost two months after a teacher's strike in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union. Teachers overwhelmingly approved the deal by a vote or 175 to 2 last week. It still needs to be ratified by the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center, which is a separate district. That is expected to happen on Monday.

An economic forecaster says New England will continue to experience a slow economic recovery until well into 2013 due in part to weaknesses in the national and global economies. University of New Hampshire economist Ross Gittell said yesterday the European debt crisis could affect New England going forward because of the region's strong trade and investment ties to Europe.

It's been two months since the Occupy Wall Street movement started. Yesterday, protesters all over the country told the government they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Demonstrators gathered outside City Hall in Burlington yesterday morning, one week after their camp was shut down. Demonstrations were planned across the U.S. to protest what they say is the consolidation of wealth by 1 percent of the population. Protesters say Burlington's middle class is shrinking faster than nearly anywhere else in the country.

New York officials say they have repaired and reopened all but a few of the 400 state roads and bridges damaged by flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in late August and early September. According to the Cuomo administration, all but three bridges and three highways have reopened, with three highway segments set to open this week.

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and that means turkey is the number one topic at the HOPE office on Boardman St. The Middlebury-based anti-poverty organization will give out more than 400 turkey baskets on Thanksgiving and Christmas to local low-income families who otherwise wouldn’t have a good celebratory meal. For more information on HOPE you can visit their website.

County residents looking for some company and - or a great meal on Thanksgiving will again have two options at their disposal this year. The VFW on Exchange Street in Middlebury will host its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner, as will the Addison County Eagles Club off New Haven Road in Vergennes. Both meals have traditions dating back at least 20 years and offer a sit-down meal as well as a home-delivery option for shut-ins. For more information just visit the Area Calendar Page of our website.

Starting on the first weekend in December, Vergennes residents gather in the Little City’s downtown area for the annual Holiday Stroll. The Vergennes Rotary will sponsor two Holiday Decorating Contests this season, one for Main Street businesses, and one for area residents. Judging will take place on December 16th. The Holiday Stroll is also the kick-off for a weeklong collection for the Vergennes Community Food Shelf. For the entire Holiday Stroll Schedule just click HERE!

Fort Ticonderoga will host its second annual “Material Matters: It’s in the Details” seminar the weekend of January 28th and 29th. The weekend program focuses on the material culture of the 18th century and is intended for collectors, re-enactors and people with a general interest in learning more about objects of the 18th century and what they can tell us about history. “Material Matters” takes place in the Debora Clarke Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga and is open by pre-registration only. Visit Fort Ticonderoga Dot Org For Details.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 17, 2011

The first annual Otter Valley Trail Run at the OVUHS Fields will take place on Sunday, November 27th. This is a fundraiser for the OV Junior Class. You are invited to run or walk in the race, which is open to all ages. The 5K Walk-Run starts on the 27th at 10AM. Registration will take place from 8:30 – 9:45 that morning. The course will be on the Otter Valley and hawk Hill Running Trails. The suggested donation is $10. For more information contact Mr. Havens at Otter Valley. (802-247-6833 Ext. 234)

Vermont State Police are investigating an attempted burglary on Cove Road in Bristol on Wednesday. Unknown individuals attempted to force entry through the garage door. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

Tropical Storm Irene washed away the remains of dozens of people at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester. Months later the effort to find them continues. Out of 50, 23 people are still unaccounted for. Now someone is stealing recovered headstones, adding to the families' pain and frustration.

After three committee meetings, a proposal to raise parking rates in downtown Rutland while lowering them in the deck is on its way to the Board of Aldermen. The Community and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend the full board pursue a modified version of the proposal put forward by Mayor Christopher Louras. The proposal is designed to encourage use of the downtown parking deck by long-term parkers.

Stafford Technical Center’s spending plan for 2013 calls for an increase of 2.5 percent, but includes a new revenue item to try and offset it. The school would like to generate about $90,000 by expanding its now part-time day care program to full-time for paying parents and other profit-making programs such as culinary. The proposed budget is up $39,606 from the current year budget. Also, all sending schools, including Rutland, will pay $371 more per student in tuition for next school year. The Rutland School Board has to approve the spending plan. The vote is scheduled for December 13th.

The Ticonderoga town board has appointed members to the Ticonderoga Revitalization Alliance board of directors. The Ti town board also has approved minor changes to a 2010 resolution enabling the creation of a local development corporation to focus on the economic development and revitalization and OK’d the alliance using office space in the Community Building.

A general election re-canvas yesterday showed challenger Margaret Bartley widening her lead by 16 votes in the Elizabethtown town supervisor contest. In the Essex town supervisor race, incumbent Sharon Boisen won the majority of absentee ballots to secure another term.

Two campers opposed to Green Mountain Power's wind farm in Lowell were arrested yesterday morning. Some opponents of the project have been trying to block construction by camping within the safety perimeter of a blasting zone. The blasting must occur in order to build a road to the top of the mountain, where the utility plans to put up 21 turbines. Both individuals arrested are students at Sterling College.

Senator Bernie Sanders says Democrats should reject any deficit reduction deal if it cuts Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Sanders’ says that would allow Democrats to frame the 2012 election debates. He says the next few weeks could be a critical time for the Democrats because he says they have an opportunity to develop a clear economic alternative to the Republicans. But Sanders’ is worried that the Democrats won't take advantage of this opportunity. That's because a number of Democratic leaders have expressed support for a compromise plan that raises some new revenue and also reforms entitlement programs. The Senator strongly opposes this approach.

Burlington police are still completing their investigation of the shooting death last week at the Occupy Burlington encampment. Josh Pfenning died in a tent at City Hall Park last week. Police Chief Michael Schirling says his department is waiting for final reports. But he says it's apparent that Pfenning shot himself. The question that police are still trying to answer is whether the shooting was accidental or intentional.

New consideration is being given to whether culverts need to be larger to accommodate not just floodwaters but the silt and debris they carry. Culverts are getting attention because of the flooding triggered by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. The state standard for culverts under town roads is that they should be able to withstand a 25-year flood. But a state transportation official says there are worries that climate change may mean what was previously considered a 100-year flood is now a 25-year flood.

Vermont Auditor Tom salmon says, over the last six months, complaints have surged concerning how the state does business. That's why Salmon says his office is taking a more aggressive approach to suspected fraud and wasteful spending. Currently, his office is in the process reviewing six departments.

The University of Vermont administration and faculty union have reached a tentative 3-year agreement. The president of United Academics said that the two sides have come to a constructive and workable outcome. John Bramley, UVM's interim president, says the process was not always easy but both sides recognized that these are challenging times in finding reasonable approaches to resolve conflicts. The terms of the tentative deal have not yet been released.

Officials in Bennington are supporting passenger rail service in the area. A study is looking at the impact of passenger rail service to Bennington and Rutland counties, as well as various counties in New York. The Bennington Select Board agreed Monday to send a letter of support for rail service to state and federal officials.

The state says the owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant didn't prove to federal regulators who extended the plant's operating license that it is in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. In documents filed Monday, the Department of Public Service argued the Nuclear Regulatory Commission violated the Clean Water Act when it approved the permit extension without proof the plant was in compliance. The state wants the plant closed.

Cities and towns across the state are coping with dwindling tax revenue, and they're trying to do more with less. In Franklin County, the City and Town of St. Albans are exploring whether they can effectively merge the two communities into one in an effort to more efficiently provide services. Residents from both the city and the town have formed a committee that will evaluate the benefits of reorganizing as one community.

With the holidays around the corner, stores are already gearing up for mobs of eager shoppers. And, expert’s say this year stores may actually get their wish. Holiday shopping to expected to go up by about 2.8%. But, the consumer still is not making it easy on retailers. Experts say with big deals on the Internet, and smart phone applications that compare prices stores will have to keep the deals coming from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas. That is instead of one big sale on Black Friday. WVTK encourages you to support businesses close to home this year and shop local!

A housing project under way in Vermont's largest city is going to get even bigger thanks to a $4.8 million federal housing grant. The state's congressional delegation announced Wednesday that the Cathedral Square Thayer Commons project in Burlington's New North End would add 28 additional rent-subsidized units with help from the grant.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is campaigning against the congressional super committee that is cutting benefits including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Today he is joining seniors, advocates and at least three other members of Congress in protesting against cuts being advocated by Republicans on the special budget negotiation committee. Sanders says he'll use the event in part to outline ways the super committee can move toward balancing the federal budget without cutting entitlement programs.

More Vermont smokers are kicking the habit. According to a 2010 survey conducted by the Vermont Health Department, 76,000 adults smoke in Vermont. That's about 15 percent of the population. That's down from 17 percent in 2009, but short of the department's target of 11 percent. The results were released to coincide with today's 36th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout, a day when many smokers nationwide attempt to quit.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 16, 2011

Police say an armed homeowner in Rutland Town scared off a would-be intruder. Around 10AM Tuesday, a man trying to pull himself into her house on Quarterline Road through a bedroom window startled a woman. The suspect then jumped back outside and fled. That's when police say the homeowner grabbed a handgun and began shooting at the suspect. Police are not sure if he was injured, but warn the public not to take the law into their own hands. The homeowner, Patricia Billings, was not hurt. Police say a small red vehicle was seen driving away. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Chris Barber at the State Police Barracks in Rutland. (802-773-9101)

Yesterday morning was a busy one for Middlebury rescue crews. Two auto accidents on Route 7 had Middlebury Heavy Rescue and MVAA crews called out to multiple emergencies. The first accident, involving two vehicles, occurred around 9:30AM on the highway in front of the A&W Drive-In south of town. A second, more serious accident occurred at 11:15AM at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 125. An eyewitness said a woman was removed from the passenger-van involved in that accident and taken to Porter Hospital.

Otter Creek Brewery was planning to resume full operation yesterday afternoon despite an explosion Monday morning. Otter Creek personnel say a fermenting barrel was over-pressurized, causing a 40-barrel tank to rupture. No one was hurt but the brewery says the force of the explosion tipped the tank, spilling all of its contents. The brewery is now finishing repairs and performing a rigorous safety audit.

The Rutland Police Commission talked earlier this week about hiring an international association to help with the search for a new police chief while at the same time the five-member group considered the possibility of foregoing the hiring of an interim police chief. The search for a new chief has been a work in progress since longtime Police Chief Anthony Bossi announced earlier this month he would retire on January 3rd.

Town officials in Castleton voted this week to purchase a three-acre property along Route 4A as discussions regarding the town hall continue. The property is located at 1600 Main St. in Castleton, in front of the old Goddard site, where the town offices have been installed in trailers. The Select Board has been discussing the potential purchase of the property since the summer, after the town’s building commission recommended purchasing property in town and building a new town hall.

Vermont state revenues continue to come in at a slightly brisker pace than had been forecast. Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding said Tuesday that October general fund revenues were about 4% higher than the state's consulting economists had forecast in July. So far this fiscal year that fund, which supports most functions of state government, has pulled in about $10 million more than the $384 million that had been expected. He says impacts from Tropical Storm Irene and the global economic slowdown continue to be a worry.

In the days and weeks following Tropical Storm Irene's flooding, Vermont became what one lawmaker called a "lawless state" concerning its rivers, with crews digging gravel from stream beds and piling boulders on river banks to strengthen them. Environmentalists and some state officials say the result is serious environmental damage, especially to fish habitats, as well as a possible worsening of future floods. Vermont lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday that efforts to put rivers back in the courses they ran before the August 28th storm may have done more harm than good in some instances. In addition to hurting fish habitats with the digging, river experts say efforts to strengthen river banks can increase the speed at which the river flows, which can make future floods more damaging.

The state of Vermont has received 10 proposals for what to do with the flooded-out state office complex. Last month, the state took developers on a tour of the buildings in Waterbury. The state is trying to decide whether to rehab the aging complex, construct new facilities on the site, or sell the property and find new office space elsewhere. Most of the proposals conclude that the cost of redevelopment will require continued state ownership and primary use for state offices. But some proposals suggest part of the property could be used for commercial purposes.

One piece of the Vermont state office complex in Waterbury that will not return to prior use is the state hospital. Representatives from nearly half-a-dozen health care organizations met with lawmakers and state officials Tuesday to present their visions for new treatment options. Both the Brattleboro Retreat and Rutland Regional Medical Center have floated ideas for expanding their services. Another group that includes the Howard Center and Washington County Mental Health has also offered different options. Other organizations will present their ideas at a similar meeting set for Monday.

Protestors with Occupy Vermont say they're changing their strategy to get their message across. The last of the tents from the group's camp have been removed from City Hall Park, in Burlington. However, members say their network is growing. Working groups are focusing much of their efforts on organizing events throughout the state. As for camping in another location the group says it's an ongoing discussion.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss says he still has not decided if he will seek re-election. The mayor says December will be an important month for campaigns and says he still plans on making his decision by the end of November. Kiss says right now his focus is on the Champlain Parkway, the Moran plant redevelopment, updating the climate action plan and finding a way to fix Burlington's financial problems.

Some land in one Vermont community is being considered for a solar array project. Vermont Energy Parks LLC, a company based in Connecticut, intends to apply for the project on 20 acres in Stamford. The Bennington Banner reports a notice has been filed with the Bennington County Regional Commission. The project will make use of the Vermont Sustainability Priced Energy Enterprise Development program. Referred to as SPEED, the state initiative provides fixed, above-market rates for certain forms of energy sources. The Vermont Public Service Board would look at the application to determine the project's impact on the environment, economy and public.

Democrats in Burlington plan to hold another caucus to choose their candidate for mayor, after the first caucus ended in a tie vote between two candidates. Vermont Sen. Tim Ashe and developer Miro Weinberger were tied on Sunday. Democrats will decide today when to hold the second caucus. Party officials say only those registered for the first caucus can participate in the second one.

Vermonters will get to weigh in on the future of public transit systems in the state ranging from buses and trains to ride-share programs. Transportation officials will hold a meeting today at 4PM at Vermont Interactive Television sites around the state. Another meeting is set for Thursday at 6:30PM at the Opera House on Merchants Row in Rutland. A plan drafted by the state Agency of Transportation has been posted on its web site under Public Transit Policy Plan.

The assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and New England health commissioners are meeting to discuss tobacco policies. He will join the health commissioners from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont today to call on state and local leaders to strengthen policies aimed at getting tobacco users to quit. They also will discuss the problem of secondhand smoke.

Grace Potter is continuing her meteoric rise in music, following her win with Kenny Chesney last week at the Country Music Awards. Now, the Vermont singer and her band, the Nocturnals, are planning a summer concert tour with Chesney and country music star Tim McGraw. The stadium tour begins June 2nd in Florida, and wraps up at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Adirondack Community Action Programs Inc.'s Weatherization Assistance Program has been serving Essex County homeowners and renters since 1976. More than 3,500 dwellings have received weatherization services. Since 2009, more than 485 families have benefited from ACAP services. Cost-effective weatherization measures include installation of insulation, furnace and boiler retrofits, new energy-efficient refrigerators and air-sealing measures. For more information on the Weatherization Program, call ACAP at 873-3207.

Passengers on Spirit Airlines now face nearly $34 in fees just to buy their tickets online. The only way most customers can avoid the fee is to head to the airport and wait on line to see a ticket agent there. Spirit Airlines flies to Ft. Lauderdale out of Plattsburgh International Airport, attracting many Canadians to the local airport. The no-frills airline advertises base fares as low as $9 but then charges passengers for everything from placing a carry-on bag in the overhead bin to having a glass of water onboard. In January it plans to start charging $5 for each boarding pass a ticket agent prints.

Crown Point churches and businesses are again joining together to serve a community Thanksgiving dinner. The meal will be served at the United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall on Creek Road next Wednesday. There will be a continuous serving from 4 to 7PM. There will be no cost for the community dinner that will include turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetable, rolls and homemade apple and pumpkin pies. Meanwhile the third annual “Miracle on Montcalm Street — Adirondack Dinner Table” will be shared Thanksgiving Day from Noon to 3PM at the Ticonderoga fire house. The entire community is invited to attend. Volunteers are needed to help with both dinners.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

WVTK Local & State News November 15, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

A section of Vermont Route 125 in Hancock is going to be closed for two days so crews can replace a culvert damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. The area to be closed beginning this Saturday is about two miles west of the highway's intersection with Vermont Route 100. The permanent culvert replacement will be made of concrete and have a larger opening than the original. The goal is to reopen Route 125 on November 21.

Vermonters can now buy lottery tickets through self-service vending machines. The Vermont Lottery Commission is testing the so-called WinStations at 100 locations around the state. Customers can purchase everything from Powerball and Megabucks tickets to a whole variety of scratch-off games. Here in Addison County, you can try the new lottery vending machine at the Shaw’s in Bristol.

Vermont State Police are investigating the burglary into a camp in Starksboro. The burglary occurred sometime between November 6th and the 11th. Among the items stolen were a Husqvarna chainsaw, a single shot 12-gauge shotgun with a large amount of ammunition, and 2 pair of VT Tubbs snowshoes. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the State Police New Haven barracks. (802-388-4919)

The big question about federal disaster aid for Vermont in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene appears to have been answered in the state's favor. U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy announced yesterday that a House-Senate conference committee on Capitol Hill has agreed to a new federal highway funding package that lifts funding caps for disaster relief. The bill still must pass the full House and Senate.

Earlier this year more than 1,800 Addison County middle and high school students, took the statewide biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is administered by the Vermont Department of Health. The results of the survey show a decrease in substance abuse since 1999, an increase in sexual activity and an increase in bullying. It also showed that almost one-in-five middle school students have considered taking their own lives. The survey meant to increase awareness about these behaviors, stimulate a community-based conversation and encourage schools and communities to create strategies for dealing with these issues that put their youth at risk.

You are invited to join the Addison County Chamber Of Commerce this Thursday from 5 – 7PM for this month's mixer, which is being held at People's United Bank in Middlebury. As in past year's you can help People's United collect items for the Addison County food shelf. Bring two non-perishable food items and you'll receive free entry to the mixer! If you bring more than two items, you will receive an extra door prize ticket for your generous donation. The mixer will be catered by Middlebury Natural Foods Co op. For more information and to RSVP just visit the Chamber’s Website.